Hear Hear ... Jannie du Toit

What do you do to make theatre and music spaces more accessible to people with disabilities? Most people only think of building ramps for people in wheelchairs. Jannie du Toit, one of the leading musicians in South Africa and Jopie Koen from the Pierneef Theatre have taken the issue of acccessibility a bit further than most.

Jannie du Toit with Therina Wentzel, Fanie du Toit and Eloise Cupido

Not only does Jannie print his programmes in braille, but in partnership with the National Council for Persons with Physical Disbilities in South Africa, they are pushing the boundaries to create theatre experiences that are completely accessible for persons with disabilitites. This week the focus was on persons with post-lingual hearing loss and the installation of the induction loop system.

A song in sign language

We chatted to Jannie du Toit on the iStart2 Show about his career, the Hear Hear initiative and his work with persons with disabilitites. Jannie believes there is always room to think about people with disabilitites. " I believe truly in love and I love gracefully," says he and commits: "iStart2 care more".

To listen to the show and two of Jannie's most beautiful songs, Drie-uur in die more and Kinders van die Wind. just click play:




Thought of the Day:  I hear you ... I see you.

Listen Thursdays @17h30 to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Show hosted by Pierre du Toit and the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa.

One of Them ... Thuli Matlala, Bob90 & Nomthi Sishi

A studio full of Diversity! Thuli Matlala (Casual Day Ambassador), Bob90 and Nomthi Sishi (Bob & The Binos) chatted to us on the iStart2 Show about disability as one of the most important indicators of a sustainable society. Our guests also shared exciting opportunities about how Casual Day, I SEE YOU and iStart2 are joining hands in partnership with the National Council of Persons with Physical Disabilities SA (NCPPDSA)

Thuli Matlala: "iStart2 challenge the stereotypes around people with disabilities"
Bob90: " I Believe in tomorrow"
Nomthi Sishi: " iStart2 have more patience with people who do not know how to treat people with disabilities"

Thuli sparkles when she speaks about Casual Day being the biggest fundraiser for people with disabilities in the country: "People can go out and buy stickers for R10. Casual Day falls on 5 September this year and the theme is "Bring out the Bling". It is so easy to make a difference.

Bob90 and the Binos have contributed their song "One of Them" to the iStart2 compilation CD which is due for release in August. For Nomthi it is not about being a part of the Albinism group, but it is about not trampling on other people: "It's not about how you look, but about what you can be. You can do whatever you put your mind to". Bob90 is also adamant: " Look at me for who I really am, do not look at me for being a Bino".

 

CasualDay2014, I SEE YOU and iStart2 partnership.

Raising funding for people with disabilities

Reflecting on the show afterwards filled me with deep respect for these young ambassadors who spread their message of joy and hope to a world that is not always prepared to listen. A world where we sometimes fear to join hands with people who may be a bit different to us, but if we just look a little deeper we'll see people like you and me who rise above challenges in a very heroic way. Thank you to Simon Manda from THISABILITY for connecting so many people.


To listen to the show, just click play:



Thought of the Day:

Tune in at 17h30 to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Show hosted by Pierre du Toit and the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa. The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time).

 

Visit www.iStart2.com and join the tribe !!